Jim
Civil Designer
Southfield, MI
From building bridges and schools to designing sewage treatment plants and retail establishments, Jim, a Civil Designer in URS’ Southfield, Michigan, office, has done it all. When his daughter was growing up, she would point with pride to the many schools in the community that her dad had worked on. For Jim, though, his more recent projects for URS are the most significant.
Several years ago, in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Jim began work for the Design and Construction Administration on the then new Great Lakes National Cemetery located in Holly, Michigan. With the second phase of that job nearly complete, he also is working on a major construction initiative that will greatly expand the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, which sits on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and dates back to 1862. As a wounded Vietnam veteran, Jim’s work on these cemeteries has brought his life full circle and is the most meaningful to him. Jim says, "Working on the cemeteries is important to me; it’s an honor to be involved. These cemeteries are a lasting monument to those who served our country."
Jim joined URS nearly 20 years ago and has never been tempted to go elsewhere. He compares the collaboration he sees on projects at URS to the camaraderie he experienced in the military. "We all have our strengths and weaknesses but for the good of the project, everyone pulls together to get the job done. At URS, our teams feel appreciated and valued for our contributions."